Your little ones are young, but already you want to introduce them to their God! You want to kickstart a long, fulfilled relationship with their Father. You want to teach them about God. But, they cannot read yet. They will not sit through a TV show. They are still working on their words. How do you make introductions?
Remember that you are an image of God, and that is especially true for your children. As a child of God yourself, you reflect God’s image. (Gen. 1:27). At this stage, you are also probably the biggest person in your little ones’ lives — metaphorically and physically. For a little while, you can do and endure all things in their eyes. Your role as caretaker puts you in a special position to show your children what God is like. What an awesome responsibility, but even more an opportunity! (Prov. 22:6).
You can introduce your children to God’s character on a daily (and nightly) basis. Below are a few simple ways. Be encouraged! I suspect you have already begun.
1. You keep your word.
You try. When you say, “no more cheerios,” you give no more cheerios. When you say you’ll repot that pumpkin seed they planted in a cup at school, you go home and repot that seed. You show them how God keeps his promises. (Num. 23:19).
2. You give personalized attention.
You listen to the story about how the bunny and the bear became best friends — and you ask questions. You use your talents to make or do something special for each of your children. I made a point to write each of my children a personal lullaby. The songs are nothing fancy, but my children love that each of them have their own. You show them how God is a personal God. (Luke 12:7).
3. You engage with strangers.
You talk to people at the grocery store. You pick up keys when someone drops them. You invite people to church on holidays and on regular days. You invite your neighbors to share a coffee or meal. You show them how God loves all people. (John 3:16).
4. You help people in need.
You show up when your father-in-law falls. You bring donations to feed local families in need. You cut the grass for the widow in your neighborhood. You take your sick pets to the vet for treatment. You show them how God provides. (Phil. 4:19).
5. You dance and sing together!
You play worship music, and you dance while you cook. You sing “Jesus Loves Me” in the car on the way home from preschool, sometimes very loudly. You show them how God inspires joy! (Ps. 16:11).
6. You pray a lot.
You pray at mealtime. You pray at bedtime. You pray over your children when they are sick. You ask to pray over others when God calls you to reach out. One of my favorite memories is the first time my three-year-old son asked me to pray over him when he had a cold. You show them that God listens to them. (Ps. 34:17, 55:16–17).
7. You practice saying sorry.
When you forget their shoes or you lose your temper, you bend down, apologize, and ask for a hug. You teach them to say sorry when they steal toys from one another, and you show them how to make amends with a hug, a toy, or rights to “first in line.” This last one is a big one in our house! You show them how God forgives and continually restores his relationship with his children. (2 Cor. 5:18–19).
Take heart in these small, exhausting years! Scripture tells us mommas to start our little ones out on God’s way, and even when they grow old they will not depart from it. (Prov. 22:6). Scripture also tells us that God is with us. (Matt. 28:19–20; Heb. 13:5; Rom. 8:26).
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